FAO Spouses shine wherever they are stationed, adapting to sometimes difficult circumstances and overcoming multiple challenges.  The FAO Association, a non-profit organization, will fund “FAO Spouse Development & Community Grants,” or “Shine Grants,” for selected FAOA Spouse members who apply for funding.  Grants will be given to spouses who apply and demonstrate that the funding will be used to develop, maintain and/or refresh their professional skills, help fill resume gaps, licensing barriers, and career continuity, or allow the spouse to complete a community-building event or project that will reflect positively on their resume.

Who’s Eligible:  Active Duty/Reserve FAOA Member’s spouses, who are also FAOA Spouse members, at the time of application for the grant.  

What They’ll Get:  A one-time grant of $500 to $3000 to help defer the cost of an approved program of their choice.  Note: They will be responsible for 15% of the cost of their program, and will receive the remaining 85% upon proof of completion and submission of a brief one-pager from the grantee for a summary of the activities/certifications completed/obtained for tax records/financial auditing purposes.  

When:  Grant proposals should be submitted no later than 12:00 PM Eastern Time on July 15, 2026, for activities that begin after August 15, 2026.Where:  Global and CONUS FAOA Spouses are eligible (no geographic restriction)

How:  

• FAOA will fund, manage the application process for, and approve Shine Grants. 

• The funding amount, and total number of grants, will be determined by the number of approved grant applications and the amount of funding dedicated to the program by FAOA.  

• Pending legal review, grants could have named sponsors.  

• Due to the funding structure (grants paid upon Shine Grant project completion) the FAOA will set aside the funding to ensure it is available to be paid out upon completion.  

• The Shine Grant program is loosely based on the DoS PDF program but is more flexible because it allows both overseas and CONUS spouses to apply, and permits both professional development and community building projects that reflect positively on the spouse.

FAQ: 

• Why is FAOA Funding these grants?

  Foreign Area Officer (FAO) spouses, who often move overseas every 2–3 years and relocate 3.6 times more frequently than civilian families, face persistent and compounding employment challenges. Active-duty military spouse unemployment ranges from approximately 8.8% to over 20%, significantly higher than civilian peers. Even when employed, military spouses are 2.9 times more likely to be underemployed, often working below their education and experience levels, and report a median income of $35,000, 42% lower than civilian counterparts. Frequent overseas PCS moves, résumé gaps, licensing barriers, high childcare costs, and embassy lifestyle/legal employment constraints further disrupt career continuity. While hiring authorities, tax incentives, and remote work expansion offer partial mitigation (69% of spouses desire remote work) career instability remains structural, particularly for younger spouses and those with young children. For FAO families navigating repeated international assignments, employment is not just an economic issue but a professional identity and continuity challenge that follows them from post to post.  Spouse employment can impact short-term mission effectiveness and negatively influence long-term talent management for the Joint FAO force.  The Department of State’s Professional Development Fellowship (PDF), which offered $1000-$2500 of support to Embassy-connected spouses and partners in their efforts to develop, maintain, and/or refresh their professional skills while overseas, was paused in 2025 with no reported restart date.

• Which professional activities are eligible for Shine Grants?

  Activities can include, but are not limited to, classroom and distance learning courses, professional development courses, obtaining or renewal of professional certification/license, and participation in professional conferences.Fellowships have been awarded to spouses and partners for taking classes towards a bachelor’s or master’s degree; for becoming certified in health and wellness programs like yoga or cross fit, Pilates, or personal training. Others have taken courses towards continuing education units in law, nursing, veterinary medicine, or education. Awards could be granted for language tutors and programs, as well as photography, writing, culinary arts, winemaking, chocolatier skills, voice lessons, flight instructor lessons, or painting courses. The professional development options are boundless.

• What Community Building activities are eligible for Shine Grants?

  The FAOA is willing to consider a wide variety of activities that meet the intent of the program, including community building projects that reflect positively on the spouse.  The activities should be inclusive and not specifically religious or political in nature.

  Examples:

  • A FAO spouse stationed overseas is not employed outside the home.  He works with the Embassy Community Liaison Office to plan a day trip for interested U.S. EFM children in the Embassy Community to visit cultural sites in the area.  FAOA grant fully funds the transportation and food expenses for the trip.  

  • Outcomes:

    1. Local Community building

    2. Resume bullet for FAOA Spouse - “Coordinated with the Embassy Community Liaison Office to volunteer to plan and execute a community-building cultural trip for U.S. Embassy children funded by a non-profit.” 

  • A FAO spouse stationed overseas is part-time employed outside the home.  She wants to start a local Boyscout troop, but needs funding to pay for the use of a local facility.

  • Outcomes:

    1. Local Community building

    2. Resume bullet for FAOA Spouse - “Volunteered to lead U.S. Embassy’s Boyscout troop in country X.  Coordinated with a non-profit to establish funding for operations expenses.”